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US20030198489A1 - A foolproof device used in a process cartridge of an image forming apparatus - Google Patents

A foolproof device used in a process cartridge of an image forming apparatus Download PDF

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Publication number
US20030198489A1
US20030198489A1 US10/171,036 US17103602A US2003198489A1 US 20030198489 A1 US20030198489 A1 US 20030198489A1 US 17103602 A US17103602 A US 17103602A US 2003198489 A1 US2003198489 A1 US 2003198489A1
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
engagement portions
toner container
developing device
toner
process cartridge
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
US10/171,036
Other versions
US6654581B2 (en
Inventor
Ren-Hao Liu
Shu Wang
Xiao Wang
Ting Ko
Jui-Chi Wang
Robin Hsu
Ya Huang
Kuan Li
Hui Hsieh
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
General Plastic Industrial Co Ltd
Original Assignee
General Plastic Industrial Co Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by General Plastic Industrial Co Ltd filed Critical General Plastic Industrial Co Ltd
Assigned to GENERAL PLASTIC INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD. reassignment GENERAL PLASTIC INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD. ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: HSIEH, HUI-WEN, HSU, ROBIN, HUANG, YA-LI, KO TING-HSIEN, LI, KUAN-TUNG, LUI, REN-HAO, WANG, JUI-CHI, WANG, SHU HUI, WANG, XIAO HUI
Publication of US20030198489A1 publication Critical patent/US20030198489A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US6654581B2 publication Critical patent/US6654581B2/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Fee Related legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
    • G03G—ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
    • G03G15/00—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern
    • G03G15/06—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern for developing
    • G03G15/08—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern for developing using a solid developer, e.g. powder developer
    • G03G15/0896—Arrangements or disposition of the complete developer unit or parts thereof not provided for by groups G03G15/08 - G03G15/0894
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
    • G03G—ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
    • G03G15/00—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern
    • G03G15/06—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern for developing
    • G03G15/08—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern for developing using a solid developer, e.g. powder developer
    • G03G15/0822—Arrangements for preparing, mixing, supplying or dispensing developer
    • G03G15/0848—Arrangements for testing or measuring developer properties or quality, e.g. charge, size, flowability
    • G03G15/0849—Detection or control means for the developer concentration
    • G03G15/0855—Detection or control means for the developer concentration the concentration being measured by optical means
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
    • G03G—ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
    • G03G15/00—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern
    • G03G15/06—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern for developing
    • G03G15/08—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern for developing using a solid developer, e.g. powder developer
    • G03G15/0822—Arrangements for preparing, mixing, supplying or dispensing developer
    • G03G15/0865—Arrangements for supplying new developer
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
    • G03G—ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
    • G03G15/00—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern
    • G03G15/06—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern for developing
    • G03G15/08—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern for developing using a solid developer, e.g. powder developer
    • G03G15/0822—Arrangements for preparing, mixing, supplying or dispensing developer
    • G03G15/0865—Arrangements for supplying new developer
    • G03G15/0875—Arrangements for supplying new developer cartridges having a box like shape
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
    • G03G—ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
    • G03G2215/00—Apparatus for electrophotographic processes
    • G03G2215/06—Developing structures, details
    • G03G2215/066—Toner cartridge or other attachable and detachable container for supplying developer material to replace the used material
    • G03G2215/068—Toner cartridge or other attachable and detachable container for supplying developer material to replace the used material having a box like shape

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a process cartridge for image forming apparatus and, more specifically, to a foolproof device used in an image forming apparatus, which prevents an installation error of the toner container in the developing device.
  • a regular process cartridge for a laser printer is generally comprised of an electrophotographic photosensitive member, developing means, charging means, cleaning means, and a toner container.
  • the toner of the toner container used up the whole assembly of the process cartridge becomes useless and must be thrown away. It is not economic to throw the whole assembly of the process cartridge away after empty of the process cartridge. Further, the waste process cartridge may cause pollution to the environment if it is not well disposed of.
  • the present invention has been accomplished to eliminate the aforesaid drawbacks. It is the main object of the present invention to provide a process cartridge, which enables the user to replace the toner container without throwing the other parts of the process cartridge away when toner used up. It is another object of the present invention to provide a foolproof device, which prevents leakage of toner due to an installation error of the toner container in the developing device.
  • the foolproof device comprises a plurality of male engagement portions and a plurality of female engagement portions respectively formed in the developing device and toner container of the process cartridge of an image forming apparatus.
  • the male engagement portions are different in size.
  • the female engagement portions are different in size and, fit the male engagement portions respectively.
  • the foolproof device guides correct installation of the toner container in the developing device, preventing leakage of toner due to a wrong installation of the toner container in the developing device.
  • FIG. 1 is an exploded view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the toner container according to the present invention.
  • FIG. 3 illustrates the female engagement portions of the toner container respectively attached to the female engagement portions of the developing device and set in the initial engagement position.
  • FIG. 4 illustrates the toner container installed in the developing device according to the present invention.
  • a process cartridge constructed in accordance with the present invention is shown comprised of a developing device 1 and a toner container 2 .
  • the developing device 1 comprises electrophotographic photosensitive means, developing means, process device matching the developing means (these attached means are not within the scope of the claims of the present invention, no further detailed description is necessary).
  • the toner container 2 comprises toner stirring means and toner supplying openings (the toner stirring means and toner supplying openings are not within the scope of the claims of the present invention, no further detailed description is necessary).
  • the toner container 2 further comprises at least one, for example, a plurality of first female engagement portions 21 , and at least one, for example, a plurality of second female engagement portions 21 ′.
  • the first female engagement portions 21 and the second female engagement portions 21 ′ have different longitudinal lengths.
  • the developing device 1 comprises a plurality of first male engagement portions 11 and a plurality of second male engagement portions 11 ′ respectively disposed corresponding to the first female engagement portions 21 and the second female engagement portions 21 ′ of the toner container 2 .
  • the first male engagement portions 11 and the second male engagement portions 11 ′ have different sizes, and are adapted for engaging the first female engagement portions 21 and the second female engagement portions 21 ′ of the toner container 2 respectively.
  • the toner container 2 is attached to the developing device 1 , keeping the first female engagement portions 21 and second female engagement portions 21 ′ of the toner container 2 respectively positioned in the first male engagement portions 11 and second male engagement portions 11 ′ of the developing device 1 , i.e., the initial engagement position 10 as shown in FIG. 3, and then the developing device 1 and the toner container 2 are moved relative to each other subject to the designed direction to force the first male engagement portions 11 and second male engagement portions 11 ′ of the developing device 1 into engagement with the first female engagement portions 21 and second female engagement portions 21 ′ of the toner container 2 respectively.
  • the toner container 2 cannot be closely attached to the developing device and secured thereto in the correct position if the first female engagement portions 21 and the second female engagement portion 21 ′ are not aimed at the first male engagement portions 11 and the second male engagement portions 11 ′ respectively.
  • the first male engagement portions 11 and second male engagement portions 11 ′ of the developing device 1 and the first female engagement portions 21 and second female engagement portions 21 ′ of the toner container 2 form a foolproof device, which prevents leakage of toner due to an installation error of the toner container 2 in the developing device 1 .
  • FIGS. 1 ⁇ 4 A prototype of foolproof device has been constructed with the features of FIGS. 1 ⁇ 4 .
  • the foolproof device functions smoothly to provide all of the features discussed earlier.

Landscapes

  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Electrophotography Configuration And Component (AREA)
  • Dry Development In Electrophotography (AREA)

Abstract

A foolproof device used in a process cartridge of an image forming apparatus formed of a developing device and a toner container is constructed to include female engagement portions of two different sizes formed in the toner container, and male engagement portions of two different sizes formed in the developing device and adapted for guiding correct installation of the toner container in the developing device and securing the toner container to the developing device positively.

Description

    BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
  • 1. Field of the Invention [0001]
  • The present invention relates to a process cartridge for image forming apparatus and, more specifically, to a foolproof device used in an image forming apparatus, which prevents an installation error of the toner container in the developing device. [0002]
  • 2. Description of the Related Art [0003]
  • A regular process cartridge for a laser printer is generally comprised of an electrophotographic photosensitive member, developing means, charging means, cleaning means, and a toner container. When the toner of the toner container used up, the whole assembly of the process cartridge becomes useless and must be thrown away. It is not economic to throw the whole assembly of the process cartridge away after empty of the process cartridge. Further, the waste process cartridge may cause pollution to the environment if it is not well disposed of. [0004]
    • SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
  • The present invention has been accomplished to eliminate the aforesaid drawbacks. It is the main object of the present invention to provide a process cartridge, which enables the user to replace the toner container without throwing the other parts of the process cartridge away when toner used up. It is another object of the present invention to provide a foolproof device, which prevents leakage of toner due to an installation error of the toner container in the developing device. To achieve these and other objects of the present invention, the foolproof device comprises a plurality of male engagement portions and a plurality of female engagement portions respectively formed in the developing device and toner container of the process cartridge of an image forming apparatus. The male engagement portions are different in size. The female engagement portions are different in size and, fit the male engagement portions respectively. The foolproof device guides correct installation of the toner container in the developing device, preventing leakage of toner due to a wrong installation of the toner container in the developing device.[0005]
    • BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
  • FIG. 1 is an exploded view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention. [0006]
  • FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the toner container according to the present invention. [0007]
  • FIG. 3 illustrates the female engagement portions of the toner container respectively attached to the female engagement portions of the developing device and set in the initial engagement position. [0008]
  • FIG. 4 illustrates the toner container installed in the developing device according to the present invention.[0009]
    • DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
  • Referring to FIG. 1, a process cartridge constructed in accordance with the present invention is shown comprised of a developing [0010] device 1 and a toner container 2.
  • The developing [0011] device 1 comprises electrophotographic photosensitive means, developing means, process device matching the developing means (these attached means are not within the scope of the claims of the present invention, no further detailed description is necessary).
  • Referring to FIG. 2, the [0012] toner container 2 comprises toner stirring means and toner supplying openings (the toner stirring means and toner supplying openings are not within the scope of the claims of the present invention, no further detailed description is necessary). The toner container 2 further comprises at least one, for example, a plurality of first female engagement portions 21, and at least one, for example, a plurality of second female engagement portions 21′. The first female engagement portions 21 and the second female engagement portions 21′ have different longitudinal lengths.
  • Referring to FIG. 1 again, the developing [0013] device 1 comprises a plurality of first male engagement portions 11 and a plurality of second male engagement portions 11′ respectively disposed corresponding to the first female engagement portions 21 and the second female engagement portions 21′ of the toner container 2. The first male engagement portions 11 and the second male engagement portions 11′ have different sizes, and are adapted for engaging the first female engagement portions 21 and the second female engagement portions 21′ of the toner container 2 respectively.
  • Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4 and FIG. 1 again, during installation, the [0014] toner container 2 is attached to the developing device 1, keeping the first female engagement portions 21 and second female engagement portions 21′ of the toner container 2 respectively positioned in the first male engagement portions 11 and second male engagement portions 11′ of the developing device 1, i.e., the initial engagement position 10 as shown in FIG. 3, and then the developing device 1 and the toner container 2 are moved relative to each other subject to the designed direction to force the first male engagement portions 11 and second male engagement portions 11′ of the developing device 1 into engagement with the first female engagement portions 21 and second female engagement portions 21′ of the toner container 2 respectively. Because the first male engagement portions 11 and the second male engagement portions 11′ have different sizes and the first female engagement portions 21 and the second female engagement portion 21′ fit the first male engagement portions 11 and the second male engagement portions 11′ respectively, the toner container 2 cannot be closely attached to the developing device and secured thereto in the correct position if the first female engagement portions 21 and the second female engagement portion 21′ are not aimed at the first male engagement portions 11 and the second male engagement portions 11′ respectively. The first male engagement portions 11 and second male engagement portions 11′ of the developing device 1 and the first female engagement portions 21 and second female engagement portions 21′ of the toner container 2 form a foolproof device, which prevents leakage of toner due to an installation error of the toner container 2 in the developing device 1.
  • A prototype of foolproof device has been constructed with the features of FIGS. [0015] 1˜4. The foolproof device functions smoothly to provide all of the features discussed earlier.
  • Although a particular embodiment of the invention has been described in detail for purposes of illustration, various modifications and enhancements may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is not to be limited except as by the appended claims. [0016]

Claims (1)

What the invention claimed is:
1. A foolproof device used in an image forming apparatus comprising a developing device adapted for receiving toner and forming images with received toner and a toner container adapted for supplying toner to said developing device for forming images, the foolproof device comprising a plurality of first engagement portions formed in one of said developing device and said toner container, and a plurality of second engagement portions formed in the other of said developing device and said toner container and adapted for engaging said first engagement portions respectively, said first engagement portions having different longitudinal lengths, said second engagement portions having different sizes respectively fitting lengths of said first engagement portions.
US10/171,036 2002-02-08 2002-06-11 Foolproof device used in a process cartridge for an image forming apparatus Expired - Fee Related US6654581B2 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
TW091201949 2002-02-08
TW091201949U TW524201U (en) 2002-02-08 2002-02-08 Mechanism for preventing assembling fault
TW91201949U 2002-02-08

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
US20030198489A1 true US20030198489A1 (en) 2003-10-23
US6654581B2 US6654581B2 (en) 2003-11-25

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US10/171,036 Expired - Fee Related US6654581B2 (en) 2002-02-08 2002-06-11 Foolproof device used in a process cartridge for an image forming apparatus

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US (1) US6654581B2 (en)
TW (1) TW524201U (en)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
USD718379S1 (en) * 2012-11-20 2014-11-25 Brother Industries, Ltd. Photosensitive drum unit

Families Citing this family (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN107203119B (en) * 2013-01-24 2020-05-12 惠普发展公司，有限责任合伙企业 Electrophotographic image forming apparatus and developing cartridge
US9104169B2 (en) 2013-01-24 2015-08-11 Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. Electrophotographic image forming apparatus
US9058017B2 (en) 2013-01-24 2015-06-16 Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. Electrophotographic image forming apparatus and development cartridge
CN107168029B (en) 2013-01-24 2020-10-20 惠普发展公司，有限责任合伙企业 Electrophotographic image forming apparatus and developing cartridge
US9182739B2 (en) 2013-01-24 2015-11-10 Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. Electrophotographic image forming apparatus

Family Cites Families (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5268722A (en) * 1990-04-13 1993-12-07 Canon Kabushiki Kaisha Detachable developer supply container having means for selectively prohibiting detachment
CA2068358C (en) * 1991-05-14 1998-12-22 Yoshihiko Yamada Developer replenishing cartridge and developer receiving apparatus within which such cartridge is mounted
US5229824A (en) * 1991-07-17 1993-07-20 Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha Developer material supplying device for integral type processing unit assembled in electrophotographic type image recording apparatus
KR0127279B1 (en) * 1992-07-24 1997-12-29 사또 후미오 Container and developing device for electrophotographic apparatus
JP3257657B2 (en) * 1994-03-25 2002-02-18 東芝テック株式会社 Developing device
JP3530644B2 (en) * 1995-07-31 2004-05-24 キヤノン株式会社 Developing frame, process cartridge, and electrophotographic image forming apparatus
JP3402872B2 (en) * 1995-08-25 2003-05-06 キヤノン株式会社 Process cartridge regeneration method and process cartridge

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
USD718379S1 (en) * 2012-11-20 2014-11-25 Brother Industries, Ltd. Photosensitive drum unit

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Publication number Publication date
TW524201U (en) 2003-03-11
US6654581B2 (en) 2003-11-25

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AS Assignment

Owner name: GENERAL PLASTIC INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD., TAIWAN

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:WANG, JUI-CHI;HSU, ROBIN;HUANG, YA-LI;AND OTHERS;REEL/FRAME:013016/0109

Effective date: 20020605

FPAY Fee payment

Year of fee payment: 4

REMI Maintenance fee reminder mailed
LAPS Lapse for failure to pay maintenance fees
STCH Information on status: patent discontinuation

Free format text: PATENT EXPIRED DUE TO NONPAYMENT OF MAINTENANCE FEES UNDER 37 CFR 1.362

FP Lapsed due to failure to pay maintenance fee

Effective date: 20111125

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